Pennsburg Mayor addresses Red Hill Council regarding combined police presence

        There are residents who feel a need for an enhanced police presence throughout the Upper Perkiomen Valley. The question is; what will it be and who will pay for it?

        Pennsburg Mayor Vicki Lightcap appeared at the regular meeting of the Red Hill Borough Council on Wednesday, May 11, to float some preliminary thoughts on a combined police presence in the Valley.

        Lightcap noted that she had been doing some fact-finding regarding a larger regional police force, mainly due to the drug problems that plague Valley municipalities.  She also noted that she was doing research on putting together a budget that would reflect the other municipalities' participation in a joint police force.

        Retired Upper Perkiomen police officer, Pennsburg council member and Upper Perk Police Commission member Bob Seville, of Pennsburg, was also in attendance at the meeting. He stated that the Upper Perk force is "very well respected right now."

        "This is not the Upper Perk police department of years ago," Seville added. The Red Hill council is going to discuss and investigate the borough's potential role in a regional police force.

        In related news, at the May 24 Marlborough Township Board of Supervisor's meeting it was announced that Supervisor's Chairman Brian Doremus and Police Chief Darren Morgen will attend the May 24 Red Hill Borough Council meeting to present a proposal and gauge council's interest in police coverage from the Township's police department.

        In zoning news, Kevin Murray, owner of a screen printing business, attended the meeting to inquire about the possibilities of purchasing 800 Main Street, the former Woodson Dairy building, for his business. Possible zoning difficulties have arisen because of the lack of parking for the property, which necessitates on-street parking for employees.

Murray further stated that his business uses no hazardous chemicals, and that everything was "drain-safe."

        The council was supportive of that type of use for the building, but told Murray he would need to go to the zoning hearing board. He was encouraged to come back to the council with his application for a letter of support from the borough.

        In parks news, committee chair Larry Morton reported that flags were going to be hung for Memorial Day between 4th and 5^th Streets at the site of the memorial. He also said that his committee was looking into the banners for the west side of Main Street that would be part of the "Hometown Heroes" program, wherein individuals dedicate the banners to past and present members of the armed forces.

        The Memorial Day Service will be held at the memorial on May 30 at 9 a.m.

        In UMJA news, Red Hill representative Paul Decker reported that property owners should be advised that it is "in their long term interest not to plant trees or large shrubs over the laterals" as it can result in costly damage.